Berms mass swana march 2017

What You Need to Know About MSE Berms

March 27, 2017

Overview

• MSE Berm Design

• MSE Berm Construction

• MSE Berm Monitoring

ARM Group Inc. A Technically Oriented Earth Sciences & Engineering Firm 2

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MSE Berm Design

ARM Group Inc. Vision. Partnership. Results.

MSE Berm Design

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Conceptual Layout: • Geometric optimization

Thorough Site Investigation: • Soil borings/test pits • Laboratory testing • Groundwater

characterization • Field reconnaissance


MSE Berm Design

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How Tall to Make Berm

Costs & Losses Total Harms

MSE Berm Design

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Design Considerations

Soil specifications: • What soil is available and from where will it be sourced? Soil can greatly impact

project economics. • Does soil require special processing or drainage features to be installed within

MSE berm? • Any special conformance testing? • What is the strength of the soil? • What stress conditions will be present?

Geosynthetic reinforcement specifications:

• What are the appropriate reduction factors? • Any special conformance testing?

Subgrade/Subsurface conditions:

• Any subgrade requirements? Drainage? Rate of construction and/or consolidation?


MSE Berm Design

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• Determine “critical” stability sections based upon geometry, existing conditions, loading conditions, etc.

• Iterative process to ensure adequate factors of safety for internal, global, and compound stability.

• Geosynthetic reinforcement elements are lengthened, shortened, or strengths are changed to get adequate factors of safety.

• Great advancements in slope stability software in the past 10 years.

Slope Stability Analysis

MSE Berm Design

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• Additional cross-sections can optimize geosynthetic reinforcement design (i.e., reduce required length and/or spacing requirements and consequently, costs).

• Optimize design for a consistent factor of safety throughout the length of the berm.

• Review design for conflicts with infrastructure.

Geogrid Optimization


DRAINAGE! DRAINAGE! DRAINAGE!

MSE Berm Design

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Design Insights Experienced geotechnical engineers familiar with MSE berm design are critically

important. Additionally, experienced design engineers can save client significant money in Total Project Cost.

If geosynthetic reinforcement vendors are used during the design, global & compound stability must be independently confirmed by geotechnical engineer.

Design guidance provided by FHWA Publications: • Slopes vs. Walls • Fine vs. Coarse Grained Soils • Performance Criteria • Design Life

ARM Group Inc.

Vision. Partnership. Results.

MSE Berm Design

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Unique ARM Designs

• Solar Integrated MSE Berm (patented) • MSE Berm on Waste Subgrade • Alternative Backfill (crushed

asphalt/brick/concrete) [ABC Material] • Shored MSE Berms • Soft, Saturated Subgrade • Ash Backfill MSE Berm


Innovation

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ARM patented technology.

Anchors for the solar panels are installed within the MSE berm.

Photovoltaic solar panels are attached

to the anchors along the face of the MSE berm.

Important environmental benefits.

Maximization of the revenue

generating area at a facility.

Solar-integrated MSE Berms


Innovation

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The availability and cost of suitable structural fill will significantly impact the bottom-line of an MSE berm project.

Crushed concrete, asphalt, and masonry may be a suitable backfill source.

ARM designed an MSE berm using

incinerator ash as backfill for a landfill in Pennsylvania.

Alternative Backfill / Beneficial Reuse


MSE BERM CONSTRUCTION


MSE Berm Construction

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Typical Facing Detail



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Subgrade Preparation and MSE Berm Construction



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Welded wire form and biaxial (facing) geogrid installation



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Installation of ECM following biaxial geogrid.



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Setting uniaxial geogrid following installation of ECM and biaxial geogrid.



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Uniaxial geogrid, ECM, and bodkin connection installation


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Separation of uniaxial geogrid and reinforced backfill installation.


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Progression of reinforced backfill installation and interior slope grading



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Liner installation on interior slope of MSE berm.



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Utilities atop MSE berm crest and access road. Protective cover visible on slope, leachate pump system riser pipes, valve vault, anchor trench low-perm soil, litter control fence poles, and stormwater management channel.



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Utilities atop MSE berm crest and access road. Litter control fence poles, and stormwater management drop inlet channel with trash rack – future tie-in for final cover system downchute.



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Options:

45’ tall steel litter control fence poles, heavy duty guiderail, security fence, and access road pavement.



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Vegetated MSE berm facing



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Construction inspection and testing are critical for MSE berm projects

Experienced construction monitors are essential

Experienced contractors can make a large difference in project success

Quality construction materials are important

Construction inspection certification provides added assurance to stakeholders

Construction-Phase Engineering and Construction Quality Assurance Experienced construction-phase engineering and CQA are essential for MSE berm projects to be completed on-time, within budget, and in accordance with the permitted design and CQA Plan.


MSE BERM MONITORING


MSE Berm Monitoring

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Possible Instrumentation:

Settlement Plates Survey Monuments Inclinometers

MSE berms should be inspected on a regular basis.

Inclinometers are the most prevalent. Provide continuous monitoring of displacement

throughout the MSE berm and subgrade profile.

Visual Inspections Should be completed by a PE with MSE berm

experience.


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Projects should develop a comprehensive Monitoring, Maintenance, & Inspection Plan. Monitoring Program:

• Instrumentation Readings • Data Analyzation

Inspection Program:

• Routine site inspections • PE inspections • Erosion, vegetation, geogrid

assessment, movement, etc. • Annual alignment survey

Maintenance Program:

• Vegetation maintenance • Stormwater channel maintenance • Roadway maintenance


Thank You

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Questions?

Benjamin S. Allen, P.E. ARM Group Inc.

[email protected] Phone: (717) 250-5581


mailto:[email protected]

ARM Group Inc.

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Established in 1998 Civil and Environmental Engineering Firm Full suite of services to support the solid waste industry Office & Personnel Locations:

o Hershey, PA (HQ) o State College, PA o Wilkes-Barre, PA o Pittsburgh, PA o Columbia, MD

MSE berm designs at landfills in PA, CT, & MA


Berms mass swana march 2017

Environment

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